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Monday, 12 January 2015

Kashmir Art Quest opened the first ever centre for contemporary arts and research in Kashmir - GALLERIE ONE, today at Srinagar.

Syed Mujtaba Rizvi

The
creative and cultural infrastructure in Kashmir has been seriously
lacking. The platforms and opportunities for creative expression had
become non-existent here due to decades of conflict, ignorance by
successive governments and absence of any organisations working in the
field of arts. There have been no avenues for the artists to showcase
their work. There is no exchange of creative dialogue with the
international world. Art education is seriously lacking. Hardly any
research takes place in the field of visual arts in Kashmir. In spite of
a rich history of arts and crafts, unfortunately due to the conflict
our creative sector is now in a crippled shape.

New Art Gallery : Gallerie One : Jammu & Kashmir.

To
address these issues Kashmir Art Quest has been working towards the
advancements of arts, artists and art education in Kashmir since its
foundation in August 2009. It is one of our foremost goals to create a
situation in Kashmir where an international art-scene might exist –
therefore channelize creative energy towards Kashmir. We celebrate a
culture of innovation & creativity, and strive to foster creative
and cultural entrepreneurship in the region. Over the years through various projects we have been able to revive the art scene in Kashmir, bring it to the public domain, and take it to the international stage.

We
are still the only independent contemporary arts organisation working
actively in Kashmir. However, today we launched the first ever centre
for contemporary arts and research in J&K after over 5 years of hard
work and planning.– a historical landmark, and a much needed space
especially in a place like Kashmir.

The centre was thrown open in the presence of Director Tourism Kashmir for artists and art lovers.

Gallerie One constitutes of five inter-disciplinary wings, unified in a single-access space spread over 7500 sq.ft.

1) Art Gallery

2) Archiving & Cataloging Centre.

3) Digital Media Lab.

4) Research Centre

5) Library and Leisure Space.

We
recognize the need and urgency for the centre for contemporary arts and
research in Kashmir which will cater to national and international
tourists, local residents, businesses and corporates, institutions,
artists and art lovers around the world. We are creating a new, distinct
and a world class offering for the people of Kashmir, and national and
international audiences alike - also a much needed space in any tourist
destination. We will take Kashmiri artists to international Fairs,
Biennials, Conferences, Seminars, Events, and Exhibitions, and welcome
the art fraternities around the world with open arms. At the same time
the centre will bring in fresh perspectives on promotion of Brand Kashmir and
cater much of their advertising, marketing and design needs. We will
develop strategies with assistance from world leading experts and
produce measurable recommendations based on proven science of consumer
psychology, brand management, and psychology of advertising and
marketing. The centre will link up
with institutions around the world to boost the arts, creative and
cultural entrepreneurship, tourism, and promotion of
brand Kashmir around the world. The Gallery will have curated shows
throughout the year.

File Photo all copy right by Gallerie One

The
project was conceived, formulated and implemented by Syed Mujtaba Rizvi
who is also the Founder and Managing Director of Kashmir Art Quest.
Mujtaba Rizvi heads Gallerie One as its Chief Executive Officer.

Fasal
Dar is the Chief Operating Officer at Gallerie One who ensures the
right implementation of the project. This project has been possible
after years of hard work, and now by the support received from J&K
Department of Tourism, who own the space. They prepared the space - at
1st Floor, Tourist Reception Centre, Srinagar - for this path-breaking
initiative (J&K Department of Tourism retains the ownership of the
space).

The
gallery opened with the inaugral show, 'Contemporary Practices and new
Media," curated by Syed Mujtaba Rizvi, showcasing works by 36 leading
and emerging artists. The exhibition explores the bold and challenging
practice by Kashmiri artists today. It showcases the shift from
traditional practices, and how this practices manifests in contemporary
culture. The current show ends on 31 March 2015, and will be accompanied by artist talks, workshops, and seminars.